June 11, 2014

If these birds live in your area, you can save money and time by helping bluebirds thrive. (Eastern Bluebirds look almost like the Western, except the male has rufus on its throat.)

Here's how:

1) They Need Homes

Bluebirds are cavity nesters. So they need trees with holes in them. These holes are often found in old trees.

What to do: Leave old trees alone. Minimize tree trimming. If necessary, cut off only branches that might break free, leaving the trunk and parts of the major branches.

What to do: Hang birdhouses that have been designed for bluebirds. Consult the National Bluebird Society for plans. Note that the size of the opening is critical: It must be large enough to allow bluebirds to enter and small enough to keep invaders out (larger birds, squirrels, and cats).

2) They Need Food

Bluebirds eat bugs. While raising nestlings, they catch a bug every few minutes.

What to do: Avoid putting pesticides on your lawn or garden. Such chemicals kill the bugs that bluebirds depend upon for food.

Note: Pesticides also kill bees and bugs that other birds need for food.

3) They Need Water

Every creature needs water. But birds are especially sensitive to chemicals.

What to do: Avoid using chemicals on your lawn or garden. These collect on rocks, sidewalks, fences, and other hard objects. Then, rain or lawn watering washes these chemicals into puddles, sewers, and (ultimately) natural water systems.

Here's how this helps you.

1) You'll Save Money

Avoid the cost of lawn and garden chemicals.

2) You'll Save Time

Avoid the time to trim trees and spread chemicals.

3) You'll Stay Healthy

These chemicals can make children, adults, and pets sick. Some of these chemicals are accumulative toxins. That is, they collect in body tissue over time, building their concentrations until they cause illnesses, such as cancer or nervous disorders.

So, when you help wildlife thrive, you also help yourself.

By the way, here's something easy you can do now: Visit and then share my article on the Western Bluebird. See: "Meet the Western Bluebird."

August 03, 2012

For example, with only $25, you could empower someone with a micro-loan made through Kiva.

Kiva, you may know, is a non-profit organization that facilitates micro-loans to people worldwide. Currently, over 796,000 people have made over $330 million dollars worth of loans.

Pay back averages over 98.9%, which is incredibly high considering that the borrowers live in poverty. This means you can expect to recover the money that you loan.

As you scan through the loan requests, you will find a parade of touching stories. Someone in Ecuador wants to borrow $700 to buy fish for resale, someone in Bolivia wants to borrow $750 to buy materials to manufacture jackets, someone in the Philippines wants to borrow $500 to buy seed for a farm, and so on.

Notice that each of these requests comes from someone who will use the money to earn an income.

I encourage you to join Kiva. It's one small action that produces a huge benefit for someone else.

"Apricot Freesia artisan soap has top notes of fresh apricots, citrus zest, with notes of lily of the valley, pink rose petals and freesia flowers. This soap creates a summery day that is delightfully fun and fruity!"

This reads more like the description of a floral bouquet than a soap.

These soaps feel good too, especially if you have sensitive skin. None of them contain any harmful chemicals.

I've been buying the Goat's Milk Handmade Soap for years because it's fragrance free and gentle. I have sensitive skin that complains about the chemicals in harsh soaps.